At the Missouri River in Bismark, North Dakota. Mississippi River tomorrow. More pics at bottom.

It's amazing the things they put in these small-town gas stations. You have your regular stuff: Doritos, candy, an extensive beverage collection. But these are extra-special because they also have one-of-a-kind items like Nascar driving gloves and a wolf figurine that could have been painted by a child. They also serve double-duty: not only is it a gas station and a convenient store, it's also a gift store, Arby's, Subway, and Casino. No doubt, it's a social center of sorts for the area. At one gas station, Amy was mistaken for a local and nearly keeled over in disbelief. She plans on pulling herself a bit more together tomorrow.

We have finally arrived at our Fargo hotel and Hula is going bonkers with freedom. She is running in circles on the bed while Matt pretends to chase her. Hula has been such a good sport with this whole moving thing, and we think she is getting weary of the long, long truck rides. She hid from her Puppia (harness) this morning that straps her into her carseat. We have a feeling she'll hide under the bed in protest tomorrow.

Matt drove the entire way (again) and Amy took only 2 naps. We got distracted in Billings, MT by the Best Buy, and ended up spending an hour on errands in that town. We got our iPod to work and listened to David Sedaris' "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" on audiobook. It was a collection of short stories, mostly about his family. It was a much needed humorous distraction for a few hours- we highly recommend it. We are finally past the mountians, hills, and Bad Lands; we are now in the flat part of the country. It's amazing the towns they put on maps; they are hardly an exit on the interstate.

On a grusome note, our windshield has become a bug graveyard of sorts. Even though Matt cleans it at least once a day, it quickly becomes littered with the remains of flying bugs. Just when we thinking another bug can't possibly fit on our windshield, one inevitably splats onto it.

We have been on the road for 14 hours and it's time for bed. Good night!

Sounds like you guys are having a great time and I love the pictures. John & I have driven through N. Dakota a few times and we can certainly relate to the tiny towns on the interstate exits. Have fun and give Hula a hug from the Staples and Oreo.